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What is Hinduisum
Namaskar:
When I was browsing the internet, I saw the information about "soc.religion.
hindu" and I couldn't resist submitting this article. Hinduism is simple if
we are broad-minded. It is complex if we are short-sighted! Individual freedom
to everyone in what they believe and practice without interference from any
organization and/or institution! Organization is not in the Hindu tradition.
In Vedic days, such organizations were not there. Now in the INTERNET DAYS, we
don't any organization to preach what we should and what we shouldn't!
Organizations have the tendency to curtail individual freedom of thought,
beliefs and behavior. Whether we are labelled as "Shiva," "Vaishnava,"
"Advaita," "Dwaita" etc., we still fall into the category called "Hindu."
We need a fundamental change in our attitude and face the world with an open
mind! Hinduism has constantly changed, has always embraced new dimensions
and demands of an ever changing society! This is the greatest strength of
Hinduism.
WHAT IS HINDUISM?
Hindu Religion is like a Banyan tree with many branches and roots.
Branches of Banyan trees develop their own roots and the tree grows
for ever! Though there are many branches, roots, leaves and flowers, the
Banyan tree is only one! Just like the Banyan tree, Hinduism is ever
growing as a single unified entity with diverse beliefs and customs.
Hinduism strongly emphasizes swadharma (Values based on individual
beliefs). Hindu faith is often known as "sanaatana Dharma" (that which
is ancient and eternal). Hindu Dharma requires Hindus to respect and
sustain their environment! Dharma is a pledge to lead a harmonious
life without disturbance to peace in the nature!
Religion is an expression of human desire to communicate with
God and Hinduism is no exception. In Hinduism, avatars
(manifestations of God) are illustrations of such contacts between
humans and God. Villages, towns, and states affiliated to avatars
became holy lands for pilgrimage. This may explain how Hinduism is
tied to local beliefs and traditions. Customs and traditions that
may look superfluous, have contributed to a clearer understanding
of Hindu heritage and Philosophy.
Hindu Scriptures
Hindu Scriptures are broadly classified into Sruti (heard and
transmitted), Smriti (remembered and collated), Itihaasa (epics),
Purana (stories and values) and Aagma (temple related rules for
prayers, rituals and construction). Vedas constitute Sruti. The
four Vedas: Rig, Saama, Yajur and Atharva are treasured as the most
ancient heritage and Hindus believe that Vedas are eternal and
never created! The subject-matter of Vedas is classified into
three categories: Karma, Upasanaa, and jnana. Karma discusses
obligations of each individual. Upasanaa provides guidance for
divine communion and worship. Jnana is the philosophical
disquisition about Brahman, the supreme reality. These
philosophical discussions in the last portions of each Veda are
known as Upanishads. Scriptures, compiled by the great sages,
Yajnavalkya, Manu and Parasara are known as Smriti . Itihasa
comprises of the two epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata written
respectively by sages Valmiki and Vedavyasa. Vedavyasa also wrote
the eighteen Puranas and eighteen Upa(sub)-puranas. Each purana
emphasizes a specific Hindu value and dramatizes a story with a
virtuous hero, an evil villain, and supporting characters on either
side! In general, the hero is a favored deity, who represents the
Supreme Reality and others become demigods and play subordinate
roles. Aagmas define elaborate rules for temple construction and
rules for conducting rituals and prayers in the temple premises.
Relevance of Temples in Hindu Religion and Culture
Throughout Indian history, temples have exercised an enormous
influence on religious and social life, and traditions. Famous
Hindu temples such as Somanathpur had enormous wealth and became
targets of foreign invasions. The Hindu temple is a place of
worship like any other but it has unique features that elevate it
to a greater spiritual excellence and appreciation. Orthodox
temples are built according to Aagmas and the sacred ones are
located in higher altitudes on top of hills. Elevated temples
symbolize the importance of spirituality over worldly life. Kings
and rich citizens in the community provided generous funds to the
construction and maintenance of temples. Temples have contributed
to the employment of architects, artisans, sculptors, and laborers.
The shrines and icons have given peace to the frustrated minds.
Music, dance and fine arts programs including religious and musical
discourses staged in the temples have encouraged musicians,
dancers, dramatists, artists and religious scholars. The granaries
of temples were used to feed the hungry, and temple buildings have
provided shelters to both scholars and students. Some temples were
equipped to provide medical services to the sick, elderly, and
disabled. Thus, temples have provided a variety of religious and
social services and reinforced economic and social welfare of the
Indian society. Hindu temples in the U.S. and Canada act as
cultural ambassadors and provide spiritual and educational services
to the Indian Community.
The temple also portrays God in the cosmic form. The statue
of Nataraja (dance pose of Lord Siva) is a well known example for
the artistic, scientific and philosophical significance of idols.
Hundreds of articles and books have been written about the
significance of the Nataraja's dance posture. In the PBS show,
COSMOS, Professor Carl Sagan asserts that the dance of Nataraja
signifies the cycle of evolution and destruction of the cosmic
universe (Big-Bang Theory). The dance statue of Nataraja is a
symbolic representation of Vedanta. The dwarfish demon crushed
under the feet represents the demonic ego, which prevents humans to
attain the inherent peace and bliss within. The ego should be
crushed to regain the Supreme Bliss! A more complete description
is beyond the scope of this article, and is therefore omitted.
Vedanta, the starting premise of Hindu Religion, asserts that
Brahman (the abstract God) is the Absolute Truth. Brahman has
multiple roles to play: the creator, the maintainer, and the
destroyer all in one. Vedanta states that the universal soul,
Brahman is eternal and the individual human soul, Atman ultimately
unifies with Brahman. Advaita implies the ultimate identity of
Brahman (Universal soul) and Jivatman (human soul). Dwaita opposes
advaita on almost all points and maintains an ultimate diversity of
Brahman and Jivatman. Visistadvaita (qualified non-duality)
maintains a crucial differentiation as well as a fundamental identity.
The Hindu philosophy and logic provide unassailable strength
to the concept of the fundamental unity in the worship of a
multitude of gods. Hinduism is highly individualistic and Hindus
love the freedom to worship their personal choice of an icon to
visualize the abstract Brahman. That explains the rapid growth of
temples, gods, and rituals across India and beyond. Even
illiterate villagers are proud and enthusiastic to elaborate on
stories about their temple gods and their significance. Such
stories invariably are more adventurous and heroic than "Superman"
episodes, but with a divine touch. The temple epitomizes God in a
spiritual form and the various parts of his body symbolizes
philosophical concepts. It serves as the symbolic link between
Human and God, between Material and Spiritual and between Obvious
and Ideal. Names of the miscellaneous segments of the temple
designate different organs of the human body (garbhagraha (Sanctum
Sanctorium) represents the human heart).
The symbolism in Hinduism is analogous to the modern
communication methods adopted by the computer industry. They both
adjust to the diverse tastes and needs of the world. Only a small
segment of the general public look for sophistication and special
features. The common folk who are in the majority, demand simple
illustrations and practical examples rather than lengthy logic!
The computer industry employs creative graphic displays of "icons"
to satisfy the general public. Hindu symbolism seems to imply that
it does not believe in a one-size-fits-all theory! Artistic
temples with idols, heroic stories, and colorful rituals
demonstrate this fact. Educated Hindus may grasp a lot more from
such symbolism, and unravel philosophical and spiritual truths of
Vedanta. Puranic stories create role models by dramatization of
legendary events to preserve social ethics (Dharma). An ideal
spouse, parent, offspring, or teacher is orchestrated to help the
society to conduct its daily duties (nithya karma). Hinduism has
perfected the art of symbolism as a powerful media to teach complex
philosophical ideas to the common man. The communication of values
using the puranic stories in Hinduism, resemble the case study
procedures in business management institutions.
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** Have a Nice Day! **
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* Every action is internally judged for rewards and punishments! *
* The Greatest reward for an act of kindness is the action itself! *
* The penalty for sin is the guilt feeling for violating values! *
* Action without detachment to the results abandons acts of sin! *
* Message from Bhagavad Geeta *
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